Wife, 71, dies after being pulled from burning home near Zephyrhills

ZEPHYRHILLS — A 69-year-old woman died after her husband tried to save her from a mobile home fire on Wednesday night, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said 71-year-old Floyd Valead found the home at 4728 Red Cardinal Court in flames when he returned from the store just after 7:30 p.m. He ran inside and carried out his wife, Patricia Valead, who was home alone when the blaze started.

She was taken to Florida Hospital in critical condition. Floyd Valead had non-life threatening injuries, the Sheriff's Office said.

A preliminary investigation indicates that a cigarette was the likely cause of the fire, but the State Fire Marshal's Office will make the final call.